Rafa Benitez celebrates Newcastle promotion

Click for the best snaps of Rafa Benitez celebrating Newcastle's promotion to the Premier League

Click for the best snaps of Rafa Benitez celebrating Newcastle's promotion

HMRC say they have arrested "several men working within professional football industry for suspected income tax & national insurance fraud."

"180 HMRC officers have been deployed across the UK and France today. Investigators have searched a number of premises in the North East and South East of England and arrested the men and also seized business records, financial records, computers and mobile phones.

"The French authorities are assisting the UK investigation, have made arrests and several locations have been searched in France.

"This criminal investigation sends a clear message that, whoever you are, if you commit tax fraud you can expect to face the consequences. As this is an ongoing investigation HMRC is unable to provide any further detail at this time."

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Lee Charnley has worked as Newcastle managing director since April 2014

Charnley was appointed Newcastle managing director in April 2014 and worked with boss Rafa Benitez to secure promotion to the Premier League this week.

But the 39-year-old is now being quized by HMRC officers after his arrest.

Newcastle refused to comment early this morning but are expected to make a statement shortly.